General Information

About PPPS

Founded in 1870, the Paw Paw Public School District has a long history of academic excellence and extracurricular achievement in a caring environment.

Paw Paw's 2200 students come from the Village of Paw Paw (population 3400) and the surrounding area. Located in Van Buren County (population 75,400) in the Southwest corner of Michigan's Lower Peninsula, Paw Paw serves as the county seat and is conveniently located to both Kalamazoo (east 20 miles) and the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan (west 25 miles). The picturesque countryside is filled with vineyards, orchards, and many small lakes and rivers.

The district is comprised of the Early Elementary (grades K-2), the Later Elementary (grades 3-5), Paw Paw Middle School (grades 6-8), Paw Paw High School (grades 9-12), and Cedar Street Community and Family Center which houses an alternative education program, Aspire Academy, GSRP Pre-school and Young Fives. Paw Paw Public Schools also offers Adult Education programs located at the Freshwater Church facility. All of the district's facilities are either new or totally renovated since 1998. Paw Paw High School contains a 950-seat Performing Arts Center which supports the district's award-winning music and theatre programs.

Paw Paw's academic programs are enhanced by offerings at the Van Buren Tech located in nearby Lawrence, Michigan, dual enrollment and Early/Middle College programs and are offered in cooperation with local colleges, including Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo Valley Community College, Lake Michigan College and Southwestern Michigan College. Paw Paw athletes compete along with 9 other Class A and B schools in the Wolverine Conference.